A Look Inside Centenary’s TV Studio

Students in the COM-2008 Television Production I class learn about the jobs involved in making a TV newscast in the TV Studio located in the upper level of Lackland at Centenary University. Students get to work with cameras, use a teleprompter, and learn how everything works in the studio.

The class teaches students about audio, directing, and assistant directing. Students practice using the equipment and switching between cameras. During TV Production I, as many as 15 students may be using the studio. 

During a production, some students work as on‑air talent and read from the teleprompter. Another student works in the control room, scrolling through the script while the student on camera reads. The teleprompter operator keeps up with the speaker so the student can read the words at the right pace. 

“I’d say it was challenging but worth the effort of working together as a team, and the amount of effort you put in, you get back,” said Callista McKeon, senior communication major. 

Other students work as camera operators and handle audio. The camera operators get the shots during the newscast. The audio professional prepares the microphone and plays music when the news program starts.

The assistant director also has a job during production, using hand signals to tell on‑air talent when to start talking and when to finish their segment. This helps students know when to begin and end their segment.

Professor Matthew Mendres, professor of communication in the School of Business Media and Writing at Centenary University, explains how learning about TV production helps people understand what goes into making a news program.

“When you know what goes into television production, it gives you an appreciation of anything that you watch on television," said Professor Mendres.

The class is open to all students at Centenary University. Students do not have to be communication majors to take the class. Students learn how a TV studio works and what happens before a program is shown on television.

“I think TV Production is a really cool field to work in because you can see how all the things that are happening require a TV studio to produce a show to be on air,” said Carly Wolf, senior communication major. 

One thing students learn is how important each job is during a production. The student reading the news needs the teleprompter operator to keep the script moving. The camera operators must be ready. The audio professional must make sure the sound works. Everyone must do their part to keep the production going.

“If you know how TV production works, you’re in a position to say that this news program isn't doing a good job because they didn't do X, Y or Z," said Professor Mendres.

Students learn by trying different rolesin the studio. Students work with classmates and get to see what each role involves. This gives students an understanding of how a newscast is made and what happens behind the scenes. 

“It was a fun class. I made a 30-second commercial and a three-minute how-to video, I lip-synced a song, and I had a five-minute interview at the end of the semester. Professor Mendres’s Penguin Doug is a funny guy too,” said Jodi Lanka, junior communication major.

The class shows students how much work goes into making a TV program. Students learn about jobs and why everyone must work together. The class also gives students an idea of what happens behind the camera, which viewers do not always see.

The class gives students experience working in a TV studio and learning about the production process. Students practice skills and see how the work they do helps make a newscast.

Be sure to check to see when TV Production I is running if you are interested in seeing what the class is like. For information about the class and what students do in the TV studio, contact Professor Mendres at matthew.mendres@centenaryuniversity.edu.